LEWISTON — Since the shooting death of Sahal Muridi, community groups have been leading discussions on gun violence in the city, which only seems to have increased since the July 14 slaying.

The Lewiston Auburn Youth Network, an organization established in 2019 to foster family and community relations, will hold the next such discussion on recent gun violence and the community’s demands for change.

“This community gathering is about promoting unity and demanding change in response to recent gun violence,” the group said on its Facebook event page. “The event will feature speeches, inspiring performances, and information on programs addressing the root causes of violence. Come together to make your voice heard and take action for a safer, more peaceful community.”

The event will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at Robert V. Connors Elementary School, 400 Bartlett St.

Lewiston City councilors and residents spoke to the issue during a Tuesday evening workshop. Former Councilor Linda Scott — who had previously posted on social media regarding the recent shootings, including criticism of the police chief and city administration — said her family members have become terrified. She said her grandchildren were in a house not far from where they were told there was an active shooter Saturday night.

“What are we doing about this?” she said, adding that when she brought up the discussion as a councilor, “I was vilified for being anti-police.” Scott originally co-chaired Mayor Carl Sheline’s advisory committee on community safety, which has been politically charged since the outset.

“This is about ensuring our citizens feel safe in our community,” she said. “I’m here to ask you to say or do something and find out what we’re doing as a city to make our community feel safe.”

Councilor Susan Longchamps called for the city administrator to schedule a workshop between the council and police officials to get an update on the current investigations into shootings and what else can be done.

City spokesperson Angelynne Amores said Wednesday that the Lewiston Police Department will speak with the city council at its next workshop on Sept. 3.

“They plan on discussing with the council what needs to be worked on and what they are doing proactively to address gun violence in the city of Lewiston,” Amores said.

Longchamps said she’d also like to see community groups like Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services (MEIRS) and Generational Noor invited to participate. With three shootings this past weekend, she said there have been more than 20 so far this year, with a few months still to go.

“It’s truly going to take the entire community to fight this gun violence,” she said, adding that schools, businesses and, most importantly, parents need to be involved. “It’s not only adults but our youth shooting and killing each other. We have done our youth an injustice by allowing our children to not cooperate with police, leaving no consequences for any parties involved, but only room for more fear and violence.”

Mayor Carl Sheline said that since the death of Muridi, MEIRS and Generational Noor have held community conversations and more are planned. He said the talks “give me a little bit of hope,” but also noted that members of those organizations are represented on the community safety committee.

Councilor Josh Nagine said it feels like the community talks on gun violence are disjointed, and that “there has to be some type of unified movement so the folks that are concerned are heard” and an action plan is put in place.

He said he’d like the council to hear from the police chief about what the department needs from the council, if anything, to address safety concerns from the public.

“I don’t know if it’s a messaging issue, but there are definitely some people who are intimidated and afraid in my ward,” he said.

Early in the meeting, during a discussion with Lewiston’s legislative delegation, Nagine said a lot of work was done in the last legislative session to address gun safety, but he’s hoping there can be a serious look at either rescinding constitutional carry and/or raising penalties for reckless conduct with a firearm.

During public comment, resident Lisa Jones said “something has to be done” about the recent gun violence.

“It’s getting out of control,” she said.